Heath Shuler Likes Rex Grossman as Redskins QB

Democrat Heath Shuler was busy getting sworn into Congress again today, but, in the midst of fielding questions on the new Republican majority and bipartisanship's depressing extinction, he had time for a quick query about the Washington Redskins quarterback situation.

"I like Grossman," Shuler told me when I asked him if Grossman, the former Florida star who was inauspiciously dubbed the "Sex Cannon" in 2006 as a Chicago Bear, is the future for the Redskins.

"I've always liked Rex Grossman," he repeated, when I asked, incredulously, if Grossman really is a long-term solution for the Redskins.

Shuler played QB for the Redskins from '94 to '96, spending three of his five NFL seasons at RFK Stadium. He never became a huge star, and it's possible that he'll make more of a splash in Congress than he did in the league. Already he's gained some currency as an outspoken Blue Dog.

Grossman got installed as the new Redskins QB at the tail end of the 2010 season, at the expense of Donovan McNabb, whom everybody thought would steward the 'Skins for the next few years, at least, when they acquired him in the offseason. It was a pretty big coup around the NFL. Grossman hasn't ever become a star in the NFL either. He has exactly as many TD's as INT's (40) after eight seasons.

But Shuler thinks Grossman can handle the job.

"I think of course they'll look to the draft," he conceded, noting that it's unfortunate how McNabb's tenure has gone.

"He's like third string now?" Shuler asked.

Yeah, I said. Third string.

Grossman hasn't made any political donations in his life, according to
the Federal Election Commission's website, so this appears to be Shuler's honest opinion.